Year List Update - 21st April 2025

 This last week, I've been out and about a few times, and have managed to add 6 more species to this year's Year List.

The first bird, Garganey (149), was a male bird that was seen at Catcliffe Flash, in Sheffield on Tuesday. It was asleep the entire time I was there (!), and quite distant, but I managed to get a record shot, along with a couple of Tufted Duck, a Gadwall and some Teal.

Garganey

The other 5 species, were added today in Lincolnshire. The first one, Common Crane (150), was added in a field about 1 mile away from the Willow Tree Fen reserve. In total, there were 18 birds all feeding in one field. Quite a sight, and not one I was expecting to see!!

3 of the 18 birds present

The last 4 new species seen were Sedge Warbler (151), Reed Warbler (152), Whitethroat (153) and Yellow Wagtail (154), which were all added at RSPB Frampton Marsh.

Yellow Wagtail (with friend)

Whilst there, Jayne and I also spotted a good number of other species, including: Canada, Greylag and Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Ruff, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Linnet, Pintail, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, and, best of all, a self-found male Green-winged Teal!!!

Green-winged Teal (asleep)

Frampton Marsh - 3rd February 2024

 Last weekend, Jayne and I had a drive over to Willow Tree Fen and RSPB Frampton Marsh, clocking up an impressive 11 species for the Year List.

Our first stop was the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's Willow Tree Fen, where we saw 6 Common Cranes (105), including a pair that were calling and displaying. Whilst there, we also saw 3 Marsh Harriers (106).

Common Crane

Moving on, we arrived at Frampton, where the 1st winter Lesser Yellowlegs (107) was putting on an amazing show, on the wetland, by the car park! This bird has now been present since last year (130+ days!) and it was great to see how its moult had progressed since we last saw it back in October (see here). These photos shows a few remaining brown, juvenile feathers.

Lesser Yellowlegs

We had a walk around the reserve, spotting the following birds: Mute and Whooper Swan (1), Canada, Greylag and Dark-bellied Brent Geese (108), Meadow Pipit (109), Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Pochard (110), Pintail (111), Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Lapwing ('000s) and Golden Plover (000's). Up on the seawall, we spotted another couple of Marsh Harriers, and, after a lot of searching, a very distant, male Hen Harrier (112, yes!). Heading back down to the Visitors' Centre, we spotted Black-tailed Godwits (113), Avocets (114) and, perched up on the barn, a male and female Peregrine Falcon (115).

RSPB Frampton Marsh - 29th April 2023

 Jayne and I had a drive over to RSPB Frampton Marsh yesterday for our annual visit. As always, the reserve was fantastic, and we had a great few hours there, enjoying the weather (warm and sunny) and adding 11 species to this year's list.

The first new species was Ruff (142), followed quickly by Avocet (143), seen on some newly-created wetlands by the car park.

Ruff

Avocet

Sedge (144) and Reed Warbler (145) were added next, along with 3 Spoonbills (146), that we saw from the 360 Hide. Walking down to the reservoir area added singing Lesser Whitethroat (147) and Whitethroat (148), as well as a single male Brimstone, one Holly Blue and 6+ Peacock butterflies.

Walking back down to the Visitors' Centre we spotted 6 Yellow Wagtails (149, including 2 bright yellow males) and a Whimbrel (150).

Spot the Yellow Wagtail!

The final two "ticks" were Barnacle Goose (151) and Common Tern (2 birds seen, 152). Other species seen around the reserve included: Mute Swan, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Canada and Brent Goose (Dark-bellied and 2 Pale-bellied), Greylag Goose (with goslings), Shelduck, Shoveler, Spotted Redshank ( 2 breeding plumaged birds), Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Cetti's Warbler (heard).

Greylag Goose

After our visit here, we drove across to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's Willow Tree Fen reserve where we had fantastic views of a Common Crane (153) and a hunting Hobby (154), along with a Brown Hare, 2 Muntjac Deer and a Fallow Deer. At one point, we had Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard and Hobby in the binoculars at the same time!

Common Crane

Bluethroat

Bluethroats are pretty uncommon in Britain, usually seen as a passage migrant in spring and autumn, mainly on the east coast. News, therefore, of a "red-spotted" Bluethroat found apparently overwintering in Lincolnshire was a great record, and one I couldn't pass up on. I've only ever seen 2 before, 1 briefly (about 5seconds) at RSPB Blacktoft Sands, and one on Beeley Moor, Derbyshire, in June 2001 (see details, and 1 photograph on the Birdguides website here).

Today's bird was initially found on 10th February, and has been present in the same area, by the main path at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's Willow Tree Fen Reserve ever since. When Jayne and I arrived the bird had just been out, for about 20 seconds! We waited an hour (in cold, windy conditions!), before it came out again for about 45 seconds. I managed a few photos, and a little video (see here), before it dived back into the reeds. A beautiful bird!

Bluethroat

Whilst waiting for the Bluethroat to appear, we also spotted a couple of Marsh Harriers (year tick), and heard some Teal. Driving home, we spotted a small flock of approximately 30 Golden Plovers (year tick).

Year Tick update:
102 – Bluethroat
103 – Marsh Harrier
104 – Golden Plover